The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-09
Street of the Burnt Woman.
A Legend OF Mexico.

From the San Francisco Argonaut.
A well.known street OF the Mexican
capital is La Gale de la Quemada, or
"the Street OF the Burnt Woman"
whose romantic story is told in an
ancient parchment document, dusty
and long forgotten.
1t was two centuries ago that the
actors in this drama lived and moved
and had their being, but the story OF
their lives comes down to us ofto-day
full OF fresh and vivid memory, as OF
people we might know. And strange
ly enough it is pleasant story, too,
Notwithstanding its dark stain OF hui
man suffering; perhaps because, tragic
as were the events, the outcome OF in
tense passion, they partook not OF
the faint of intrigue, Of treachery and
dishonor, that too often characterized
the love affairs OF the hot-blooded
Spaniards. For this is story OF love
and heroic sacrifice, and the lessons it
teaches are all sweet and wholesome.
Maria Anaya was one OF the love
fest maidens OF Nueva Hispana.
Hers was that rare beauty, at once
glowing and gentle, that fills the hearts
OF men and women alike with yearn-
ing tenderness. "On her sweet face
blessing" said a hideous beggar crone,
one day on the Paseo, turning to look
after the girl; sit would warm
my heart to clasp her in my arms.
The day seems brighter, the world
seems better, since she came near. |
long to serve her-to put myself be-
tween her and some danger"
In short, Marina was one OF the few
beings gifted with the faculty OF win
ming the love of all. She had not an
enemy in the world. She lived a SIM
pie life enough in the home OF her par
ents, making their lives bright, going
her daily round with an even cheerful
ness of spirit, and gladly taking her
share OF such amusement and social
sunshine as was possible with the wom-
en- OF her day and race. She was no
saint, Marina, but neither was she
coquette, scold, a bigot nor an empty
headed doll-but n sweet. true, pure
minded woman. 1t was deemed strange,
in her wide circle OF acquaintance that
Marina had 10 lover. Suitors had
she galore, to choose from whom she
needed but to raise her finger. But
81, ID ~tN 30 hA vol,A ttl1
| wedp" she would say when question
ed with urgence, ''simply to have a
husbana3 But what is husband
worth if he be not dearY And better
that live to robe the saints, us is
our saying, than to marry but that it
is the custom, and afterward meet one
to whom all the heart goes forth. Ay
Diosl what misery. Nay nay Think
my parents love me; and, until they
send me from their home, will not
marry, unless / come to love-" And
in that day, to follow course requir-
ed even more than to-day OF firmness,
resolution, and singleness OF purpose.
Marina had her reward. There
came change in the vice-royalty-
the viceroys were changed sometimes;
the regal master occasionally opin-
ed that his representative thought
OF the subject first; and now
and again one embarked for an.
other kingdom, to render there az
count OF his earthly craftsmanship.
Thus, a new viceroy came to Mexico,
and with him, came Leonel de la Mon
tana, a comely youth OF ancient lin
cage, especially detailed by Philip the
Second for the journey to the new
world. He was noble, handsome rich.
Was aught else lacking? Midst thedis.
soluteyouth OF the day might one look
for saint2 Such, indeed, was not
Leonel de la Montana; he was a SOL
der, who had fought well and to his
own fame in the campaigns OF Elan
ders, and he had soldiers faults.
But he was also brave and Knight
ly man, whose sins we're never base
nor loathsome, and, judged by the
standard OF the time, be was excep-
tional rs TO honor and morals.
He met Marine soon after his arriv-
al, who shall say how and where2 on
the paseo OF those days. at church, or
at one OF the inirequent tertulias OF
the timer And from the first time he
saw her, BE lived and breathcd but for